Palaces, cafés, incredible outdoor sculptures and the world-famous Uffizi gallery all have their place on one of Italy’s most important squares.
History, politics, art and architecture all combine to make Florence’s bustling Piazza della Signoria a vibrant hub for locals and visitors alike. No matter the day, you’ll find crowds of tourists queuing for the Uffizi Gallery and being entertained by colourful street performers, while busy local officials enter and exit the town hall, the Palazzo Vecchio.The square has been the political centre of Florence ever since this massive fortified palace was built in 1302, and has been the site of riots, votes and prominent executions, including that of Girolamo Savonarola in 1498. A bronze plaque commemorates the puritanical Dominican friar, famous for his prophecies.One of the piazza’s biggest tourist draws is the towering replica of Michelangelo’s David outside the town hall. The original was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia in 1873 but the copy does not disappoint, situated near numerous other masterpieces and replicas giving the overall impression of an open-air sculpture gallery. The three huge arches of the Loggia dei Lanzi provide a stunning frame for most of these works by artists such as Donatello and Cellini.The two exquisite marble lions above the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio are a reminder of the former might of the Medici family, who ruled Florence when much of the square was built. As you stroll amid the beautiful artworks, keep an eye out for Ammannati’s centrally positioned Fountain of Neptune, commissioned to commemorate the seafaring feats of the Florentine Republic.One other permanent feature of the piazza are the long queues of tourists that form daily, waiting for the chance to see one of the world's finest collections of Renaissance art in the Uffizi Gallery. And, for those who need a break from the tourist trail, this L-shaped square also has a number of cafés and restaurants with outdoor tables perfect for relaxing with a glass of chianti in the warm Tuscan sun.
